Auditions

The Apple Tree

The cast list for The Apple Tree is now available.

Fuddy Meers

by David Lindsay-Abaire
directed by Michael Haven

Auditions March 28 & 29

Auditions:

Auditions will be held at Masquers Playhouse in Pt. Richmond on Sunday, March 28 at 2:00 PM and Monday, March 29 at 7:00 PM. Callbacks (if necessary) will be held Wednesday, March 31 at 7:00 PM.

Cold read from the script; no monologue required.

Performance
Dates:

Friday and Saturday night performances June 4 - July 10.
Sunday matinee performances June 13 - 27.
Thursday night performances June 10 & 24 and July 1 & 8.

Rehearsals Mondays through Thursdays 7:00-10:00 PM beginning April 9.

Please provide conflict dates at the time of audition.

Details:

Claire has a rare form of psychogenic amnesia that erases her memory whenever she goes to sleep. This morning, like all mornings, she wakes up a blank slate. Her chipper husband comes in with a cup of coffee, explains her condition, hands her a book filled with all sorts of essential information, and disappears into the shower. A limping, lisping, half-blind, half-deaf man in a ski mask, pops out from under her bed and claims to be her brother, there to save her. Claire is hustled off to the country-house of her mother, a recent stroke victim whose speech has been mostly gibberish. Claire’s journey gets even more complicated when a dimwitted thug with a foul-mouthed hand puppet pops up at a window, and her driven husband and perpetually stoned son show up with a claustrophobic lady-cop that they’ve kidnapped. Every twist and turn in this fun-house plot brings Claire closer to remembering her past life and everything she thought she’d forgotten… and why.

Non-AEA. No pay; no stipend.

Character Breakdown:

	Claire	About 40, generally sunny woman with amnesia. A totally game, fun-loving amnesiac with few judgments, and no preconceived notions of what to expect. She can be scary too… just ask Millet.
	Richard	About 40, a chatty, friendly, sometimes nervous man. Claire’s husband. A man with a past, valiantly attempting to live a “good” life. Devoted to Claire, uncertain of how to handle Kenny. Generally a weak man… maybe the self-defense lessons will help?
	Kenny	17, a troubled teen. Claire’s son. This son has had to watch is mother go through rough times, and now be with her while she lives the same day over and over. He is frustrated, angry and feels helpless and invisible. His retribution will come!
	Limping Man	About 40, a lisping, limping, half-blind, half-deaf man with secrets. He tries, really he does, but his nature will come out. He is a man trying to right his actions in the past, to apologize, to change.
	Gertie	About 60, a clear-headed lady who’s had a stroke and can’t speak properly. Claire’s mother. Gertie is strong, smart and capable. Her disorder is pretty straightforward: she knows what she wants to say, her words simply get jumbled. Gertie does not slur her words, talk slowly or have much difficulty speaking. The gibberish comes out effortlessly, without a struggle. She loves Claire dearly and would do anything to protect her.
	Millet	30’s or 40’s, an odd man with a hand puppet. Also a man with a troubled childhood. Hinky-Binky, the hand puppet, is his alter-ego, antagonist and best friend.
	Heidi	30’s or 40’s, a tough woman in uniform with an agenda. A no-nonsense woman in love with the wrong man. A tough exterior to protect a wounded heart.

For additional information, please contact the director:

Michael Haven
jean-michel53@hotmail.com

Generalities

Auditions for our productions are usually scheduled in opening week of the previous production. We schedule two audition days for every show to make it easier for people who may be performing in other productions. No appointment is necessary to audition: Just show up at the appointed time.

For the five Masquers productions each season, auditions are open to everyone. Actors who have not worked at the Masquers are especially welcome. We very seldom precast, but if we do, we will always pre-announce any precast roles.

The special galas and the Envision series are often precast, and roles are generally open to Masquers members, or by invitation only.

Unfortunately, we have no funds available to pay actors for their work. We are a non profit, community theatre, so we must rely on volunteers.

If you are cast, you are expected to commit to the entire run. Schedule conflicts during rehearsal, however, can almost always be worked out with the Director, as long as you let him or her know.

As the time approaches, information will be made available regarding what will be required for the upcoming auditions. Typically, it’s something like this: A prepared monologue and/or readings from the script for "straight" shows; for musicals, prepare a song in your key and bring the music for our accompanist. If the show involves dance, you will be shown a simple dance sequence to learn and execute.

A headshot and resume are certainly not necessary, but bring them if you have them. We will take a snapshot of you and have you fill out an audition form.

Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00, with some Sunday matinees and Thursday night benefits.

Auditions are held at the theatre. The address of the theatre is

105 Park Place
Point Richmond, CA 94801